Program Officer (PO) Introduction

Professor, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University YAGI Yasushi

1985:

Worked at the Applied Equipment Research Laboratory and the Industrial Systems Research Laboratory of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University

2003:

Professor at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University,

2012:

Promoted to Director

2015 to 2019:

the Director and Vice President of Osaka University (in charge of research, industry-academia collaboration, and library). The Program Officer of JST's Emergent Research Support Project and a Program Officer of AMED's Research Project for Establishment of ICT Infrastructure and Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Research, etc. Engaged in research on computer vision, pattern recognition, and robot vision, as well as research and social implementation of data distribution for personal data. Fellow of the Information Processing Society of Japan.

• 2014: received the Science and Technology Award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the field of science and technology for the "Research on Gait Video Analysis and its Forensic Use" in the research category.

PO’s comment on the research area

Although GAFAM's market capitalization has surpassed the combined market capitalization of all the companies listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, it is no easy task for Japan to increase its presence in the AI and Information field. The deployment of generative AI such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion is driving research at breakneck speed. The value of data is dramatically increasing not only in generative AI, but also in machine learning in general, and data strategies at the national level are becoming increasingly important.

In order to be the leader in this research field, it is necessary to establish a global network to position ourselves as the de facto standard worldwide and adopt a comprehensive research strategy. In other words, to be a trailblazer in the field of AI and Information, we need to strengthen international networks by not only developing innovative algorithms but also by constructing and globally disseminating databases, platforms, and other resources that researchers worldwide will find valuable and want to incorporate into their work.

Aspirations for the project researchers

The purpose of ASPIRE is to maintain and improve Japan's scientific and technological capabilities and to achieve this international talent mobility and circulation through international joint research, international network building, and the development of human resources capable of becoming world leaders are necessary.

As mentioned above, in the field of AI and information, databases and platforms are the means to attract researchers from around the world, and we expect TOP researchers to make full use of these means to create international networks that will lead the field and contribute to the maintenance and improvement of our scientific and technological capabilities.

Professor, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University TAKEYAMA Haruko

1992:

Ph.D. degree from the Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
Researcher at the University of Miami Marine Laboratory and Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

2007:

Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University.

2009:

Director of the Institute for Integrative Research in Normative Science, Waseda University, Nano Life Innovation Research Organization.

2016:

Concurrently served as Laboratory Director at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science-Waseda University Computational Bio Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory

2019 to 2022:

Senior Researcher at the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Group of the JSPS Research Center for Science Systems.

2020:

Project Manager of Moonshot Goal 5, Cabinet Office, Japan.

2021:

Received the Society Award from The Japanese Society of Marine Biotechnology.

2021:

Received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Society for Biotechnology, Japan.

2023:

Received the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Science and Technology (Research Category) Award from MEXT

PO’s comment on the research area

Biotechnology is a very broad field. In recent times, advancements in AI and Information technologies have made it possible to gain new insights into the field through big data analysis. Biotechnology research is undergoing major changes, as seen in the development of Engineering Biology, which makes full use of various biological information and molecular biological techniques. To achieve a sustainable and circular bioeconomy society in this swiftly evolving domain, it is crucial to approach biotechnology development in a transdisciplinary manner.

In addition, the promotion and acceleration of research under international collaboration is required, and it is essential to secure and foster excellent human resources to promote such research.

We are accepting proposals not only from top-level international researchers and research teams, but also from promising next-generation researchers even if their laboratories may still be small in scale. We hope to see proposals that provide a unique nurturing environment that advance biotechnology research.

Aspirations for the project researchers

The purpose of this program is to foster young researchers and graduate students in an international environment to encourage them make advancements in science and technology. I strongly hope that our next generation of young researchers can improve the academic environment of Japan by gaining experience under a network of top-class researchers, and acquiring an international perspective in an inclusive research environment. In order to realize this vision, we expect the principal investigators to establish top-class research networks, and be responsible for fostering the next generation with tangible outcomes.

In addition, I hope that we can to build our success by circulating talent in both directions and not limit ourselves to a one way dispatch of our talent to counterpart research institutions. I look forward to seeing new ideas for fostering the next generation of top researchers that challenging conventional approaches to human resource development.

Specially Appointed Professor at the Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology KANNO Ryoji

• Worked at the Faculty of Engineering, Mie University, and the Faculty of Science, Kobe University after completing a master's degree at the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University,
• 2000: Professor at the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology.
• Currently, he is a specially appointed professor at the Institute of Innovative Research (IIR), Tokyo Institute of Technology, and the Director of the All-Solid-State Battery Center within IIR.
• Conducted research in France, the U.S., and the U.K., as a French Government Scholarship student, a visiting professor at the University of Paris, and MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) overseas research fellow.
• Specializes in solid state chemistry, electrochemistry, storage batteries and energy conversion materials. In particular, he has been searching for solid electrolytes comparable to the properties of electrolyte and promoting research on all-solid-state batteries.
• Received the Ichimura Science Prize, the Takei Prize of the Electrochemical Society of Japan, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Science and Technology Award.

PO’s comment on the research area

I am in charge of the energy field. This is a field with high expectations due to the social demand for carbon neutrality. Although it is easy to see the path from basic research to technological development for practical use and industrialization, it is also a highly competitive field. I believe that researchers conducting basic research in this field constantly grapple with the challenge of determining when to compete and when to collaborate while they work on their projects. I feel that even top researchers who think impactful research can be done domestically would acknowledge that their experiences and skills gained at other research institutions in Japan and abroad influence their current research.

The individuality of an individual’s research can only flourish when they can experience firsthand the differences in the national characteristics of research being conducted in various countries, and this can become an distinctive feature of a research group. I hope that the program will encourage researchers to establish a hub for collaborative interactions and knowledge exchange.

Aspirations for the project researchers

Excellent research practices can be done within Japan. This is due to the efforts of our predecessors, and I believe the current research environment in Japan is second to none in the world. However, I also believe that it is only when individual researchers come into direct contact with active top researchers from various institutions and countries that gives rise to truly unique research. By understanding the background and experiences of top researchers, researchers of Japan will be able to find their own individuality which in turn makes Japan’s research unique.

In this program, I hope that researchers will take full advantage of the opportunity to learn about the many events that surround the development of research, rather than just advancing your research (which is, of course, the obvious thing to do).

Deputy Center Director, Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN AIDA Takuzo

1984:

received a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering. Assistant, Lecturer, and Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo Faculty of Engineering.

1996:

promoted to Professor. JST PRESTO Researcher, JST ERATO / ERATO-SORST Research Director, and Director of RIKEN Frontier Research System

2013:

Deputy Director of the Center for Emergent Material Science at RIKEN, leading research on soft materials.

2022:

Distinguished University Professor at the University of Tokyo.

• Received many national and international awards, including the American Chemical Society Award and the Japan Academy Prize.
• The member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, United States National Academy of Engineering, the Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Kao Executive Fellow.

PO’s comment on the research area

I am in charge of the Material Chemistry and Material Science Division. In order to push Japan's strengths in materials chemistry and materials science to a higher level, we will focus on developing innovative substances and materials that have original and outstanding properties, functions, and have "solely unique remarkable characteristics”.

Aspirations for the project researchers

We are focusing on proposals that outline strategies for world class research and creating non-linear progression of research through international collaborations. In addition, we hope proposal includes plans to encourage highly motivated doctoral students and staff to stay with international counterparts for an extended period to strengthen talent mobility and circulation, and to foster early career researchers that will be global trailblazers.

We welcome idea orientated proposals that look to build new academic principles, rather than proposals that follow an "1 + 2 = 3" end application approach.

Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University KAWAKAMI Norio

1986:

withdrew from the doctoral program of the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University. Assistant at the Department of Applied Physics at Osaka University, the Associate Professor at the Research Institute for Fundamental Physics, Kyoto University,
the Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, and the Professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University.

2023:

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University / Professor Emeritus, Osaka University.

• Currently the Visiting Professor at Ritsumeikan University/Invited Professor at Osaka University.
• Specializes in condensed matter physics for quantum materials, mainly theoretical studies of quantum many-body phenomena.
• 2015-2019: 2015-2019: the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of New Academic Area’s "Topological Material Science" Area Representative.
• Recipient of Nishina Memorial Prize, IBM Japan Science Award

PO’s comment on the research area

In recent years, the importance of quantum-related research has rapidly increased. The quantum field covers a wide range of areas, including quantum information technology that enables ultra-high-speed and massively parallel processing, the development of quantum measurement technology that surpasses existing precision, and the development of quantum materials with innovative functions. Global competition in this field has been intensifying over the years.

Although my main specialty is quantum materials, the research on quantum open systems that I have been involved in recently is deeply related to the fundamentals of quantum information and quantum measurement. In order to cover the entire quantum field well, I would like to support this program by having experts who have their own strengths participate as advisors so that we can maximize the advantages of this program.

Aspirations for the project researchers

In order to strengthen our international competitiveness by accelerating cutting-edge research and to foster talented researchers who will lead the next generation, it is important to interact with outstanding researchers and promote international joint research. Research on quantum information, quantum measurement, and quantum materials is a very important field for the realization of a productivity revolution and for ensuring the safety and security of the people. I especially believe that the success of young researchers who will lead the next generation holds the key to the future of this field.

Since ASPIRE aims to accelerate talent mobility and circulation by connecting top researchers in Japan and our counterpart countries through international joint research, I hope that this program will be fully utilized to foster world leading researchers.

Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University AMANO Hideharu

1986:

Ph.D. in Engineering from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University.

1985:

Worked at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University and at Stanford University for one year in 1989.

2001:

Professor at Keio University.

• Developed numerous computer-related chips and systems through his research on parallel computer architecture and reconfigurable systems.
• Received the Best Paper Award from Information Processing Society of Japan, the Best Paper Award from Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, and others.

PO’s comment on the research area

Japan is currently investing funds to strengthen semiconductor fabrication. However, without developing new hardware (such as semiconductor chips, architecture, design technology, low power consumption technology, analogue and digital circuit technology) and systems including software that supports the hardware, these efforts in fabrication will not be able to lead to commercialization.

Furthermore, there is an urgent need to promote the allure of semiconductor chip design and system development to attract and foster young researchers in this field. Hopefully we can take advantage of recent developments as a tailwind to widely revitalize semiconductor-related technologies.

Aspirations for the project researchers

The lack of popularity of semiconductor chip design among young people is our fault, as we purposely worked under highly stressful environments. We loved the exhilaration we felt when the chip worked after putting in tireless, all-night efforts before tape-outs, all while facing the looming risk of potential losses amounting to tens of millions of yens. I deeply regret this now.

If you go to Silicon Valley and collaborate with engineers and researchers from various backgrounds to develop systems together, you will see that semiconductor chip designers are treated wonderfully there and that they creatively spend their time while developing chips. I know these researchers and engineers feel the same exact exhilaration we felt when the chip worked but without all the stress.

GAFA will be increasingly involved in the developing their own chips, and ASPIRE can provide opportunities for researchers in Japan to co-develop with them.

Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University YAMANAKA Naoaki

1983:

completed a master’s degree at Keio University. Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (now NTT) in the same year.

2000:

became the youngest Japanese Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers of America (IEEE),

2004:

became a professor at Keio University, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

2018 to 2022:

served as the Director of the Keio Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology, received a Ph.D. in Engineering.

• 1990, 1994, 1998 IEEE ECTC Best Paper Award. 1995 IEEE Trans. on CPMT Best Paper Award. Awarded the IEICE (Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers) Achievement Award in 2015 and 2017.
• Vice-President of the IEICE and an Affiliate Member of the Science Council of Japan. Currently, the President-Elect of IEICE, President of Photonic Internet Lab., Fellow of IEEE, Fellow of IEICE, Senior Member of Information Processing Society of Japan, Member of Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan

PO’s comment on the research area

The communications sector - from the internet, wireless communications, optical networks to the cloud, IoT and the digital twin - is not only evolving rapidly but is also an active field with extremely short timescales from fundamental research to business. They also require strong collaboration, vertically from devices to systems, networks and services, and horizontally from academia to enterprises and business.

Telecommunications is an area for the Cabinet Office’s growth strategy for Japan and has an extremely large impact on society and the economy. It is said that the GDP of information and communications has grown by 50% in the past five years. We cannot keep creating technology that is intended to be used only in Japan, as standardization and consortia are essential components of this field than just publishing papers. To achieve global solutions, it is imperative that we actively pursue international collaborations and conduct research as a global team.

Aspirations for the project researchers

Here is what I said at the JST press conference when I became Program Officer (PO). My teacher, Yukichi Fukuzawa, translated the English word "Society" into Japanese as "Human Interaction". This is because he believed that society was not only about economics (money) or infrastructure such as railways and roads, but how we connect and think with other people in order to live harmoniously. Furthermore, he held the belief that the expansion of social relationships laid the groundwork for the development of knowledge, virtue, and civilization.

In other words, this project is a challenge to acquire global 'collective intelligence'. Those of you who study communications are well aware that 'global expansion' is our measurement of success. This isn’t just an opportunity to go abroad, but an opportunity to make new networks and join top teams made by the pioneers of the field. Or better yet, I hope you’ll be the maker and leaders of the new team of trailblazers.